Hidden dangers to children
The nation was recently thrown into a state of shock when it was discovered that a mother was feeding her children meals prepared with human waste.
Authorities have thankfully intervened and she has since been referred for psychiatric evaluation, while the children have been removed for their safety.
Beyond the shock, however, lies an isolated issue ― a disturbing example of how children can suffer quietly when mental illness in a caregiver is not detected early.
Mental illness in some mothers may start quietly manifesting as sadness, confusion, fear or withdrawal.
It is easy to dismiss these in an environment where mental health is stigmatised.
It is common to attribute these to spiritual problems that can be prayed away, even as the outcome escalates.
In the recent case, the mother admitted to the act herself, raising serious concerns about her mental state and judgment.
What may have started as untreated illness progressed into dangerous behaviour that directly put her children in harm’s way.
Red flags
Long before such crisis, there are red flags that are usually overlooked.
The withdrawal from normal social interaction, the strange beliefs attributed to leading off God, neglect of hygiene and irrational practices that tend to be harmful are some of the behaviours that should raise eyebrows.
Children of such parents often harbour fear and confusion and may be withdrawn.
Poor hygiene and delayed development can be telltale signs of an abusive environment. Most of the time, these signs, which are discarded, can be investigated early for mental illness.
Children may be exposed to unsafe food, environments or neglect.
Their basic needs for nutrition, hygiene, and protection are often compromised.
Emotionally, older children may struggle to understand why their mother or caregiver behaves in a certain way. But being a mother, they will most likely accept her ways as the best for them.
Younger children may also experience delays in speech, learning and social interaction in such situations.
The most disturbing part is where the children normalise the harmful behaviour.
This increases the risk of cycles of dysfunction continuing into the next generation without proper interventions.
Sadly, in Ghana, some families rely on spiritual or traditional explanations for mental illness.
This delays medical intervention.
The ripple effect is that children remain in unsafe environments much longer than they should and, therefore, more damage is done.
Early recognition of mental ill health, like any other physical illness, saves lives.
This is why mothers should be routinely screened at the antenatal and child welfare clinics.
Societies
Societies, groups, schools, communities and other associations should be educated to recognise the red flags of maternal mental ill health.
Teachers and other caregivers should call for help where they suspect a child is in distress or is being neglected.
Mothers in this state should not be condemned but should rather be shown empathy and supported by extended family members, social welfare and other support groups or systems.
The thought of children being fed unsafe substances as human waste is deeply disturbing. Could this situation be only the visible tip of a much larger problem in a country where mental illness remains stigmatised?
It is possible that many other children are living in homes where their caregivers are silently struggling.
Children do not choose their environment.
They depend entirely on the adults around them.
When a mother is unwell and no one notices, the child pays the price.
The writer is a child development expert/Fellow of the Zero-To-Three Academy, USA.
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